Trip to see the Bishop

My trip to speak with the bishop about the letter of complaint about me went very well. He’s aware there’s a small group of very conservative people in this parish who don’t want to live in a modern church and would rather we were all back in the 17th century. So I’m the object of these people’s anguish, it wouldn’t matter what priest was here (even Jesus himself!), if he was trying to educate parishioners with modern theology he’d be in the poo.

He’s also aware that I’m doing great work in the area of adult education. In fact, he’s extremely complimentary. I thought he was about to ask me to take on the role of director of adult education for the diocese! Thank God he didn’t.

What saddens me is that he gets letters from all manner of crackpots, not just about me but about other priests too. He told me he’d recently received a letter of complaint from one of our parishioners angry about where I place the sacramentary (the book of prayers the priest uses to pray Mass) on the altar! For God sake – what hope has a priest got?!?! He told me he never bothered his priests with such trivia, but simply replied to the writer that they were putting the emphasis on the wrong places and suggesting they look at why they attend Mass in the first place. You tell ’em, Bish!!!

But what ridiculous must cross his desk on a regular basis! And the desks of all bishops. It was comforting to know he’s prepared to defend his priests when appropriate.

SO what about the letter of complaint that led to my not getting a day off today? We decided I should write to the complainant and apologise for her angst, but pointing out that I felt I had no option but to raise the particular issue with her. I wasn’t complaining for what I said, but for the way I said it. I’m not really sure I have any grounds to apologise there, either, but if it keeps her happy then I’m okay with apologising for something I didn’t do.

Still, I have to work out some practical and effective way of dealing with the more conservative people of the parish so that they feel their needs are being met and so I’m able to get on with taking care of the parish.